Pakistan, Iran Agree To Speed Up Gas-Pipeline Project

A worker rides a bicycle through the Nouri Petrochemical facilities of the South Pars gas field, which the planned pipeline would link with consumers in South Asia.

Pakistan says it has agreed with Iran to speed up a gas pipeline project.

A statement from Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on December 10 said experts from both sides would meet soon to review the project, designed to link Iran's South Pars gas field with consumers in South Asia.

Iran has built most of the 900-kilometer pipeline on its territory up to the Pakistan border.

Pakistan, however, has made little progress on its section of the pipeline due to a lack of funds and warnings it could be in violation of U.S. sanctions.

The United States opposes the $7.5 billion project because it could violate sanctions imposed on Iran over nuclear activities Washington suspects are aimed at developing a nuclear bomb, something Tehran denies.

Based on reporting by Reuters and RFE/RL